Permitting how-to’s and local municipal guides.
For construction professionals expanding into Ohio, understanding how to navigate the Ohio building permit process is critical for avoiding any major construction delays. Whether you’re working on a residential renovation or a large-scale commercial build, permit requirements vary by city, township, and county.
Most construction work in Ohio requires a building permit. Per the Ohio Building Code (OBC), permits are needed for:
You typically do not need a permit for cosmetic upgrades such as painting or flooring. However, local authorities will have final say, so it’s important to check with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) where your project is located.
Ohio operates under a local enforcement model. This means cities and counties administer permits locally, while the Ohio Board of Building Standards (BBS) provides statewide code regulation. Most medium-to-large cities have their own certified building departments, while smaller jurisdictions may contract with the Ohio Department of Commerce or a third-party firm.
You can verify a certified building department using Ohio’s Building Department Search Tool.
Permit costs differ across jurisdictions but usually depend on project scope and valuation.
Some cities charge flat fees; others charge per square foot or as a percentage of the project valuation. Check with the local AHJ or consult their published fee schedules online.
Construction firms should be aware of the following hurdles:
Permit applications can be submitted in person or online, depending on the jurisdiction. Here's a general step-by-step guide:
Use the County Auditor or municipality GIS tools to verify which city or township has permitting authority over the parcel.
Ohio enforces the Ohio Building Code, Residential Code of Ohio, and specialty codes for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Always confirm if local amendments apply.
Most permit applications require the following:
Methods include:
Plan reviews may take anywhere from 5 business days (for simple residential projects) to 4+ weeks (for large commercial jobs), depending on the jurisdiction.
Permit fees are typically based on project valuation or square footage. Some departments offer fee calculators.
You may only start work after the permit is approved. Be sure to schedule required inspections as your project progresses.
We have a team that is ready to support you with all of your permitting needs. Speak with an expert today to get onboarded with PermitFlow.
The time it takes to pull a permit is dependent on your project specifics as well as the municipality you are pulling the permit in; however, with PermitFlow’s platform, you will be able to submit requirement ready, error-free applications that save your team hours of time and shorten municipal review cycles by as much as 60%. Speak with an expert today to better understand what your estimated permitting cycle time would be.
In short, the benefits of using our permit software are two-fold:
For many, the process of pulling permits is costly and full of delays. That’s why we built PermitFlow to enable project stakeholders – from developers, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, permit expediters to the project sponsors – to streamline their construction permitting needs.
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